Biker still fighting for his life following Tyne Tunnel crash

Sue Kirby

A motorcyclist is still fighting for his life following a crash in the Tyne Tunnel.

Police investigating the incident say there has been no update in the man’s condition.

The biker, who was heading north at the Jarrow end of the tunnel, had overtaken a police patrol but then failed to stop and crashed into a barrier.

He was taken to hospital with his injuries, which were described as life threatening.

No details of the injured biker’s identity have yet been released.

Police are still appealing for witnesses to the collision, which happened at 1.45am on Tuesday, to come forward.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said a decision to refer the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commision was “standard practice”.

The road was closed for several hours to allow for recovery of the motorcycle.

A police spokesman said: “The incident has been referred to the IPCC as standard practice in these circumstances.

“There were a small number of vehicles at the scene at the time of the incident and police would ask anyone who witnessed anything before the incident or on approach to the Tyne Tunnel to contact police.”